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Historically, the Springboks have had Los Pumas’ number, and Rassie Erasmus’ record-breaking World Cup winners will add to their legacy in Argentina on Saturday, writes MARK KEOHANE.
The southern hemisphere rivals clash in the penultimate round of the Rugby Championship – a Test that could either see the Boks clinch the title or set up a decider in Nelspruit next week.
The back-to-back world champions have already won the Freedom Cup and Nelson Mandela Challenge Plate in 2024, while victory in Santiago del Estero will mark the first time in the competition’s history that the Boks win six consecutive matches.
Writing for KEO.co.za, Keohane highlights Erasmus’s charges as one of the most successful teams in Rugby Championship history, and that a win on Saturday would build on their dominant 20 victories from the last 23 Tests, with only two close losses to Ireland and one heavy defeat to the All Blacks.
He compares Erasmus’ goal of sustained excellence to Richie McCaw’s All Blacks, who set the standard for dominance between World Cup title victories. The Boks, Keohane argues, are on a similar path, averaging an 84% win rate in 2023 and continuing their success in 2024.
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He praises Argentina’s evolution, though notes their inconsistency. Despite the Pumas’ unpredictability, Keohane believes Felipe Contepomi’s men won’t be able to overcome the South Africans.
“Rassie Erasmus’s record-breaking World Cup winners will add to their legacy in beating Argentina in Santiago,” he writes.
“Victory will win them the Rugby Championship and make this squad the most successful Springboks in the history of the tournament.
“Historically, the Boks have had Argentina’s number, having drawn one and lost two in 17 visits to Argentina, lost just one against the Pumas in 17 in South Africa and beaten Argentina in a World Cup semi-final (Paris, 2007) and a World Cup third place (London, 2015).
“I expect them to deliver a performance of quality on Saturday night, but not good enough to subdue a Bok team chasing a 21st win in 24 Tests, which would put them right alongside McCaw’s mighty All Blacks, in terms of excellence and consistency.”
Photo: Phill Magakoe/AFP
